As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

im curious.

Im not looking to start a political fight. I just want calm level headed reasoning.

Frankly I am glad AJ isnt old enough for me to make this decision. However, if she were, I'd say that I'd keep her home.

Why?
I am not liking the way this was laid out. It sorta creeps me out. No, I dont feel its the end of the world but I also feel its a lil well.. scary in how they are handling it.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I don't understand what is creepy or scary about it.

Can you explain more?

I honestly don't understand the hubbub over the whole thing.

He's our president - everyone should listen to what he has to say and then agree or disagree as they feel.

But not listening to it at all doesn't allow room for opinions to be formed or discussions to be had.

It seems like blantant censorship to me.

If parents are worried about it, they should watch too and have a discussion with their kids about it.


ETA: Before someone asks - yes, I would feel the same way if it were George W.

Message edited 9/7/2009 12:27:54 AM.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought that so far it's only been speculation as to what he's going to say and that the speech text itself won't be online until later today (Monday) for parents to read.

While my kids are too young for me to have to decide and they don't start back at nursery school/pre-k until next week, DH and I will read the text later today and I'll decide if I'm going to tune into C-SPAN to watch with them on Tuesday and talk about it with them at their level.

At this point my only criticism would be that in my opinion it might be better to have the speech in the evening so that parents can watch with their child and discuss it. On the flip side, I can understand if he's trying to reach those kids whose parents don't take an active role in their education and wouldn't tune in at home.

ETA: From what I've seen speculated, there's nothing in the speech that would have me keeping them home if they were older. Seems like it's going to touch on working hard and thinking about how you can give back to your community, which are all good things.

I saw the flap over the DOE talking points, especially the letter as to how kids can help the President, but I think I read they already re-worded it to talk about how to help out in your community. In any case, I took it to be a modern interpretation on JFK's "Ask not..." speech more than anything else.

Message edited 9/7/2009 12:41:47 AM.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I personally dont see the big deal in it, and would feel the same way no matter who the president was. I doubt he will be talking about his political plans (such as healthcare reform, war, etc.) with school kids and thought it would be more of a "stay in school" kind of speech.

I read that tomorrow they will release the written speech so that there are no surprises.

I also think that there has been way too much attention from the media regarding this speech. It is certainly not the first time a president has addressed school kids.

I believe George H. W. Bush addressed school kids as well, and he was strongly criticized by the democrats. As a democrat myself, I still don't see anything wrong with his speech. He was simply trying to motivate students to do their best, not to cheat, and to do try their hardest to succeed. I personally think its a good idea, as long as political plans are kept out of it.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

frankly I dont care that he *is* speaking. I see nothing to even blink about that.

I am 'creeped' out by the idea of the study plans they had.

I also think its something that the parents should participate in, especially since they expect the kids to interact in away that provides feed back, goals, etc.

If it were just him blabbing away with no planned agenda on behalf of the students, then fine, no biggie. I dont like anyone coming to my child with an agenda. President or not.

I cringed when I was in HS and they told me as a Hispanic I was a target group for drop outs. My brother dropping out didnt help! Frankly HS was a waste of my time and I wanted to skip it and go to College. No speech by anyone was going to change my mind. My father did, quickly and simply I might add

Parents raise children. Yes, I AGREE that the Prez should/could/can reinforce values about staying in school, etc. But I do NOT feel he should do so with a study plan and expect my child to do 'assignments' for him. Also, what is the harm of doing this while parents can comment, interact and learn WITH their kids.

If you want our kids staying in school you need to educate the parents as much if not more so then the children. But that's just my humble opinion

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I should add.. i am not taking a political stance (tho i could) im taking a personal stance. I hate stereotyping and I hate these lil pep talk speeches. I always have.

As a student i felt they were a waste of time and never, not once, EVER motivated me.

We had to sit in rooms and listen to presidents speak. My father never really cared. We were poor and it was education, free lunch and he didnt have to take a day off of work (hourly). I, on the other hand, sat there bored and surprised. My fellow students regardless of age were either
A) bored
B) so zoned out - brain dead watching the TV
C) messing around
D) the nerds were paying attention and they least needed it.
E) finally maybe 1 or 2 in the room seemed to get the message that NEEDED it but without reinforcement you saw it wither away.

I feel any president or any person preaching "stay in school" is nearly a lost battle if the parents are there to reinforce it.

Again, just MY thoughts

Message edited 9/7/2009 1:32:43 AM.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Message edited 9/7/2009 6:59:05 AM.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Lets be real, there are So...... many parents out there that would never take the time, energy and effort to sit watch and discuss this with their kids. He stands a much better chance doing it this way. Those kids derserve a chance to hear it and have it explained just as much as any other.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I agree he is our president, but I also am not thrilled by it, and I had a debate on whether or not I would keep my child home or not...The reason being not bc I don't like what he has to say etc..it's the way it was gone about..our kids need permission slips to go anywhere, watch an R rated movie in school etc...and nothing was sent home with kids regarding this...yes I know he's not going to speak about anything controversial, but at the same time I do feel it's a bit of indoctrination, and think the parents should have had a choice, yes some school districts are offering alternate activities if you don't want your child to participate, and some are making in mandatatory. I do agree that many parents don't take the time to teach our kids etc...but I don't believe this is the way to go, JMO...

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Posted by Xelindrya

frankly I dont care that he *is* speaking. I see nothing to even blink about that.

I am 'creeped' out by the idea of the study plans they had.

I also think its something that the parents should participate in, especially since they expect the kids to interact in away that provides feed back, goals, etc.

If it were just him blabbing away with no planned agenda on behalf of the students, then fine, no biggie. I dont like anyone coming to my child with an agenda. President or not.

I cringed when I was in HS and they told me as a Hispanic I was a target group for drop outs. My brother dropping out didnt help! Frankly HS was a waste of my time and I wanted to skip it and go to College. No speech by anyone was going to change my mind. My father did, quickly and simply I might add

Parents raise children. Yes, I AGREE that the Prez should/could/can reinforce values about staying in school, etc. But I do NOT feel he should do so with a study plan and expect my child to do 'assignments' for him. Also, what is the harm of doing this while parents can comment, interact and learn WITH their kids.

If you want our kids staying in school you need to educate the parents as much if not more so then the children. But that's just my humble opinion

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

My opinion is this:
What happen to respect for the president? Whether or not you voted for him, he is the leader of our country. Should we be allowed to question him? Of course! This is one of the fundamental rights of this country. But to consider keeping your kid home because he is going to make a speech to schoolchildren? Why?
He is not going to be telling children awful, horrible things. He is going to be telling them it is important to work hard and to stay in school. Where is the harm in that?
There is no political agenda, nothing controversial.
Why should children need a permission slip to listen to the President of the United States speak? What is "creepy" about that?
I think children should watch the speech in school and then go home and have a discussion with their parents about what was said.

To the OP: because your experience with in-school speeches was boredom, and you do not see the point, that is not a reason kids should be kept at home. Also I find your reference to "nerds" quite offensive, just as you find stereotypes of hispanics to be offensive.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Honestly, as a teacher I find it depressing that a parent would have a child miss an entire day of school over an 18 minute speech.

I work in the South Bronx, and I voted for Obama, which obviously affects how I see this. Unfortunately our kids won't be in attendance tomorrow, but I hope they watch at home. My students (6th graders) are too young to have formed any real political ideals yet, but the fact that our president "looks" like them is important and inspiring. Frankly, even if I did not support Obama I would still be happy that they had someone as a role model who's not a rapper or basketball player and does not walk around with half his @ss hanging out.

Honestly, I think Obama could help a dozen blind nuns out of a burning building and there would still be controversy. It baffles me that anyone would have an issue with our country's leader telling kids to work hard and be responsible. Many of them don't hear it from their parents.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I just wanted to chime in and say that some districts won't be watching it. In our district, we were given instructions not to show the speech.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I honestly think it is ridiculous that parents are so up in arms...he is talking about the importance of education. I understand everone wants a "cause" to stand up to, but to me, this is not it and it is counterintuitative to keep your children home from school, what is that teaching them????

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Message edited 9/7/2009 9:25:46 AM.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I think it's ridiculous for a parent to keep their child home because of the President's speech. To me it is encouraging ignorance.

Let's say it was a political agenda that he was attempting to push on children (which it's been reported that it is NOT the case)...if anything, hearing the speech opens up the door to parents talking to their children about their own political beliefs and why they agree or disagree with the President.

I want my children to hear all sides (including mine) to every debate. They can disagree with me if they choose to.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

I am really shocked at the outrage over his speech. What is the big deal about The President speaking to students about the importance of setting goals and staying in school? As parents why wouldn't we want another person telling them how important an education is???

As a teacher I am shocked at how many parents would keep their children at home because of an 18 minute speech. Way to enforce the importance of education by having them miss an entire day of classwork for a few minutes.

As for students not paying attention....well I have 3000 students in my school and when they watched the inauguration in the auditorium there wasn't a sound to be heard.

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?

Re: As parents and teachers why has no one comment on the Obama Speech for next week?